FIFA to use goal-line technology at 2014 World Cup in Brazil

FIFA has approved the use of goal-line technology for the 2014 World Cup to be held in Brazil. The exact form of tech to be adopted is yet to be decided, with manufacturers being invited to tender bids, but it is hoped that the move will avoid controversy such as Frank Lampard's disallowed goal against Germany in 2010.

Lampard's shot for England clearly went into the goal and bounced out again, because of the spin of the ball. It would have levelled the score at 2-2. England went on to lose the knockout round 4-1, but the goal could have changed the shape of the game entirely.

It was missed by the Uruguayan referee and his assistant running the line and the error provoked FIFA president Sepp Blatter to apologise. It is he who has pushed for technology to be introduced ever since.

Two systems were used in trials run at the Club World Cup in December - Goalref and Hawkeye - and they will both be part of the bidding process for the Brazil World Cup. Hawkeye uses cameras set up around the goal, while Goalref uses magnetic sensors. Two other firms are expected to pitch in with their own technologies.

"After a successful implementation of Goal-Line Technology (GLT) at the FIFA Club World Cup in Japan in December 2012, FIFA has decided to use GLT at the FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013 and 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil," FIFA says in a statement.

"The aim is to use GLT in order to support the match officials and to install a system in all stadia, pending the successful installation, and pre-match referee tests."

A vast majority of those in the football business have been calling for goal-line technology for several years, including ex-Liverpool stars John Barnes and Ian Rush. They discussed the tech and its need to be introduced with Pocket-lint when we met them in 2011.

Our senior ed of news and features has been a tech and games journalist for more than 27 years, and has been with Pocket-lint for over five. Rik has edited a number of videogame magazines in the past, was deputy editor of Home Cinema Choice, and his TV career included stints as co-presenter of Channel 4's Gamesmaster and Sky One’s Games World.